Last weekend on September 17 and 18, Lee Jieun, known to the world as IU, played back-to-back shows to a sold-out audience. The anniversary concerts, titled The Golden Hour, were held at Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul. The stadium’s concert capacity is nearly 100,000, including floor and obstructed view seats. Thus, IU makes history as the first Korean female soloist to sell out the biggest concert venue in South Korea. As IU approaches her fifteenth year in the music industry, let’s take a look back at some of her best B-side tracks.

“Ending Scene”

“Ending Scene” is the third track from IU’s 2017 album, Palette. IU’s voice and songwriting skills shine in this heartbreaking ballad. The soft piano accompanies her well as she passionately sings about a broken relationship. IU tells the story of two people meeting for the first time in a while to receive some sort of closure. However, the closure seems to remain one-sided as IU begs the other person to stop breaking her heart further with their advice and well wishes. She ends the song with an unanswered question: “Will I ever be loved by someone like me?” Check out the music video for “Ending Scene” below, in which IU shows off her impressive acting skills alongside K-Drama star Kim Soohyun.

“Knees”

“Knees” comes from the EP CHAT-SHIRE, originally released in 2015. IU often lists “Knees” as one of her favorite tracks. She wrote the song about her struggles dealing with insomnia. In an interview with GQ for their 2020 Woman of the Year, IU shared “I think that I suddenly became really busy and my sleep patterns got messed up. It was a point in my life where I had to be constantly on standby, ready to work as soon as I woke up . . . So I think my body naturally became on guard against deep sleeping.” It’s a stark reminder of how grueling an idol’s schedule can be. In “Knees,” IU recalls a time in her life when sleep came easily. The lyrics are dedicated to her grandmother as IU reminisces the times she fell asleep on her grandmother’s knees as a child. Her melodic voice is once again accompanied by a piano in this emotional self-written and composed track. You can view a special acoustic performance of “Knees” below to fully experience IU’s sincere feelings.

“Between the lips (50cm)”

“Between the lips (50cm)” is the third track on Modern Times. IU released this jazz album in 2013, five years after her debut. It pays homage to the Roaring Twenties and shows IU’s diverse skill set. Modern Times is also notable because it contrasts her typical good-girl image. In her early days, IU was often referred to as the “Nation’s Little Sister,” but the songs from this era expose a sexier side to the singer. “Between the lips (50cm)” is a mix of coffeehouse jazz and flirtatious lyrics. IU sings about the tension between two people right before a kiss. She draws a thin line, 50 cm to be exact, and states that love is more exciting when it isn’t rushed. Her voice takes on a raspier edge and thoroughly demonstrates her understanding of jazz music and her ability to adapt to various genres. IU’s sound has changed and matured with each new release since her debut in 2008. If you haven’t listened to Modern Times, watch a live performance of  “Between the lips (50cm)” below to see a different side of the princess of K-Pop.

Edited by Aleena Faisal